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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-06-13, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. JUNE 13. 1990. Opinion New forum needed Probably few people in Ontario will be too worried about Premier David Peterson bargaining away six of Ontario’s senate seats to try to win a compromise in the Meech Lake negotiations but most would wonder if he had the right to make decisions for all Ontarians. Ontarians, probably more than anyone else in Canada, tend to think of themselves first as Canadians and only secondly, if at all, as residents of the province. If having less political clout will help save the country most people in this province will accept the sacrifice. What is disturbing to many, however, is that Mr. Peterson made this offer on his own, even without apparently consulting his own cabinet or opposition party leaders like Bob Rae, who finally left Ottawa in disgust Friday night. The move is symptomatic of what is wrong with the whole process of constitutional reform in Canada, the setting up of provincial premiers as power barons, redesigning the country to meet their own ideas, not the ideas of ordinary Canadians. There has always been a problem with having the 11 first ministers negotiate change. Ten of the 11 start out speaking for their own ideas, their provincial party’s and finally, supposedly, the people of their province. There is only one of the 11 left to, hopefully, think of all Canadians not just as people from a region but as Canadians. The bargaining involves getting or keeping power for provincial governments rather than for the Canadian people. This particular round of negotiations has been so much more dangerous to the rights of ordinary Canadians because of the process, locking people in rooms for long hours in what Toronto Star columnist Thomas Walkom called a “cult-style, brainwashing atmosphere’’. At one point it’s alleged Alberta Premier Don Getty blocked the door to keep Newfoundland’s Clyde Wells and Manitoba’s Gary Filmon from walking out after the other nine leaders trained their criticism on them for days. The Ontario Community Newspaper Association has called for a new way of negotiating constitutional change, a way that would leave political leaders out of the situation. The constitutional commission could involve representatives of people who are now disenfranchised as such talks. Where is the viewpoint of women represented when 11 men get together. Was there a native among the premiers? What about the rights of French Canadians outside Quebec? Surely we can’t forever buy the argument that Quebec represents all French Canadians. What about the vast multi-cultural face of Canada? A new way of reforming the constitution must be found that doesn ’ t set region against region and create, rather than solve problems of national unity. If you agree you may want to fill in the form included and send it in. Perhaps if Canadians get mad enough, and speak out enough, the politicians might actually listen. We "re all on display With the opening of the Blyth Festival and the approach of the summer holiday season, visitors from outside our communities will be dropping in over the next few months. We all owe it to our community to be on our best behaviour. Tourism today is the one industry that continues to grow and seems likely to grow in future. It’s the one industry that doesn’t need huge investment of capital or cause serious pollution. It doesn’t have to be centred in large cities like so much industry. Not only the Lake Huron communities and Blyth with its famous mills and theatre but also Walton with its Inn and other communities with small attractions bring tourist dollars into the community. Those visitors spend money that helps provide facilities in our communities that otherwise we couldn’t afford. Those who own or work in tourist-oriented businesses have a special responsibility to be pleasant and helpful to visitors but all of us must play our parts. Those who have worked so hard to make their homes look lovely are adding much to the attractiveness of their town or village. We can help by pleasantly lending assistance to the stranger who stops to ask for directions. We can help by smiling at those strangers in our midst. We can help by stooping to pick up that piece of litter that some clod has thoughtlessly dropped in the street. We’re all on display and just as we would like visitors to our home to take away a good impression, we should help make sure the impression left with tourists is a good one. Wewantthemtobe glad to return again. Tile Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 Lunch time Mabel’s Grill There are people who will tell you that the important decisions in town are made down at the town hall. People in the know, however know that the real dehates, the real wisdom reside down at Mabel's Grill where the greatest minds in the town [if not in the country] gather for morning coffee break, otherwise known as the Round Table Debating and Filibustering So­ ciety. Since not just everyone can partake of these deliberations we will report the activities from time to time. MONDAY: Julia Flint says Cana­ dians aren’t very good at making movies or we could make a movie called “The Men Who Came to Dinner" based on the premiers who went to have dinner with Prime Minister Mulroney and stay­ ed. Can’t you just imagine the pressure on the cooking staff at 24 Sussex, Tim O’Grady was saying, knowing that if you undercooked or overcooked something you might give the political leaders indiges­ tion and the whole future of the country could be ruined because they were in a bad mood. And, said Ward Black, just imagine the political ramifications of choosing a menu. If you don’t have something from Quebec it could be looked on as another slight but if you have an entire menu of French dishes, some of the western premiers might think the Quebec influence was too strong. It’s simple, said Hank Stokes, “just serve them baloney”. TUESDAY: Now why, Billie Bean The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $19.00/yr. [$40.00 Foreign]. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisment will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Advertising Manager, Dave Williams wondered, can’t we ever have politicians in Canada like they have in Italy. He was talking about the Italian porn star Cicciolina who is also a politician who showed up in Toronto yesterday and “revealed” all” including her left breast. “Why can’t our politicians make a clean breast of it like that,” he wondered. “I will if you want but I don’t think you’ll be thrilled with what you see,” town councillor Ward said. There are some interesting pro­ posals that she has to relieve tensions in the country. She wants to institute “sex parks” in Italy. That, says Julia, would give a whole new meaning to the word recreation. Hank Stokes says he thought Canada already had sex parks. Continued on page 18 (jfrQNA Production Manager, Jill Roulston Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968